He is vain that putteth his hope in men or in other created things.
Be not ashamed to serve other men for the love of Jesus Christ and to be
considered poor in this world. Stand not upon thyself but set thy trust
in God. Do what in thee is and God shall be nigh to thy good will.
Trust not in thine own knowledge nor in the skill of any man living; but
rather in the grace of God that helpeth meek folk and maketh low them
that are proud.
Rejoice thee not in riches if thou have any, nor in friends if they be
mighty; but in God that giveth all things and above all things desireth
to give Himself.
Rejoice not for thy greatness nor for the beauty of that body which is
corrupted and disfigured with a little sickness.
Please not thyself for thy ability or for thy wit lest thou displease
God of whom cometh all the good that thou hast naturally.
Account not thyself better than others, lest peradventure thou be held
worse in the sight of God that knoweth what is in man.
Be not proud of good works; for God's judgments are otherwise than
thine. Ofttimes what pleaseth man displeaseth God.
If thou hast any good things in thee believe better things of others
that thou mayest keep thy humility.
It hurteth thee not to be set under all men: it might hinder thee if
thou settest thyself afore others.
Continual peace is with the meek man, but in the heart of the proud man
are often envy and indignation.
Thomas à Kempis was born in the latter part of the fourteenth
century and lived to a good old age. His name in full was Thomas
Haemercken, but as he was born in the town of Kempen he has been
generally known by the title above given. The _Imitation_ was
written slowly, a little at a time, and as the result of reading,
reflection and prayer.
The very brief selections given above are condensed from the first
ten chapters of the first book. While in the main following the
best translation of the original, the language has been simplified
in a few places.